Spanish cooking does not really call for an elaborate preparation; they just need a few basic ingredients. Therefore, preparing Spanish foods at home is essentially quite simple and easy. However, for that perfect Spanish preparation, the first thing you need to know is to “How to stock a Spanish kitchen?”. So, for all those who have this question in mind, here are the top seven tips for stocking Spanish kitchen.  
•    Spices:
Spanish cuisine, for its flavor, mainly depends on the numerous spices. Therefore, stock your kitchen with the typical Spanish spices. Pimenton, a kind of smoked paprika, is the most widely used spice in Spain. Used to flavor almost all the Spanish dishes, this is a must while stocking Spanish kitchen. Pimenton comes in three different varieties – sweet, bittersweet and hot. Keep a balanced stock of all these varieties, so that you can add them as and when needed, depending on your preference and dish’s requirement. Other spices that are a must are saffron, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaves and Spanish sea salt.

•    Herbs:
The next important ingredient without which Spanish cuisine simply loses its flavor and aroma is the typical Spanish herbs. Therefore, always ensure that your kitchen is stocked well with herbs like parsley, marjoram, tarragon and mint. Garlic is also an essential flavor-imparting ingredient as far as Spanish dishes are concerned. Therefore, keep some fresh garlic ready at hand. Also, keep a stock of Nora chilies at hand to add that typical Spanish tinge to your dishes.

•    Oil:
Though only a scant amount of oil is needed in Spanish cuisine, yet, oil is one of the defining ingredients for Spanish dishes. And not just any oil - a good quality olive oil is what Spanish cuisine calls for. Therefore, buy some good quality extra virgin olive oil and stock it for your kitchen.

•    Pantry Items:
For traditional Spanish cooking bases, stock your kitchen with items like sherry, dry sherry, sherry vinegar and fish stock. Olives (both black and green), rice (both short and long grained), anchovies, white beans, chickpeas and almonds are other pantry items that should not skip your mind while stocking Spanish kitchen.

•    Meat:
Spanish cuisine is heavily dependent on non-vegetarian items, especially meat. Therefore, stock your kitchen with typical meat items like chorizo that can be used to flavor stews, eggs and beans, or the salami-style pork meat or even Jamon Serrano (thin slices of cured pork).

•    Breads and Baguettes:
Breads and baguettes also typically represent Spanish cuisine and hence, stocking Spanish kitchen with these is a good idea. You can buy the typical bollilo (a torpedo-shaped six-inches long roll) if you can. However, if you do not manage to get a bollilo, try for a few baguettes or fresh rolls. You can also stock your kitchen with some churros that can be served with coffee.

•    Cookwares:
For stocking Spanish kitchen, right cookware is as important as stocking the right kind of raw ingredients. Paella pans, churro pastry maker, ramekins, two-piece skillet set, garlic press are few of the absolute musts. Spanish cuisine is always complemented with drinks and wine and hence, bottle and can openers should also be ready at hand.

Thus, stock your kitchen with these Spanish cooking ingredients and enjoy the pleasure of experimenting with unique Spanish recipes. Keeping these tips in mind and stocking Spanish kitchen accordingly, you can easily create an authentic Spanish ambience right at your dinner table.  

Photo Courtesy: mediterraneanstyle.co.uk